£100m of upgrades for Greater Manchester’s train stations

Greater Manchester’s ‘Victorian’ train stations have got more than £100m to be used on new lifts, footbridges, ramps and CCTV among other upgrades.

The government cash is being put to use as part of the region’s efforts to make it easier for people to use stations and access train travel.

Transport for Greater Manchester’s programme has led to Daisy Hill and Irlam stations being made step free last year, with upgrades currently taking place at Bryn and Hindley in Wigan, and Reddish North in Stockport.

In spring 2027, construction is due to start at Levenshulme station in Manchester, as well as Flowery Field and Newton for Hyde in Tameside.

Upgrades are also on the way to Hattersley station, while Bredbury, Woodsmoor, and Davenport stations in Stockport are due to be upgraded in 2028.

Transport has been high up on the agenda of new Greater Manchester mayor Bev Craig, who has already made a major announcement to give free bus travel to young people aged 11 to 16, a policy which Transport for Greater Manchester said could cost up to £20m a year.

Speaking about plans for accessibility upgrades at Greater Manchester’s train stations, Bev Craig said: “Greater Manchester’s old Victorian railway stations may be full of character, but the reality is they often act as a barrier to people catching the train.

“It’s not right that people need to travel miles to a different station or find another way to get around, just because they can’t get up the station stairs. So, we’re doing something about it.

“Swinton is one of four stations we’re now on with making step-free. By next spring, everyone will be able to get on the train there, with a new lift to the platforms, toilets and baby-changing facilities, and a lighter, brighter station.

“It’s part of my promise to the people of Greater Manchester to make our railways safer and more accessible for everyone as we bring them into the Bee Network.”

The accessibility upgrades come at a key time for the Bee Network as it presses on with future plans to integrate commuter rail lines, with two initial commuter lines set to join the network from December according to its timeline.

The wider plan is for ‘all 96 local Greater Manchester stations’ to be part of the network by 2030, with a promise that ‘stations and services will be upgraded’ as each line joins.